The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-06
THE MYSTERIOUS MIRROR.
By CONRAD MORE,
AUTHOR OF "MY WIRES DIAMONDS" "THE Two
STlLETTos," ETC.

AUTHOR OF "MY WIRES DIAMONDS" "THE Two
STlLETTos," Etc.
"For heavens sake, Tom. where did you get
that mirror?' exclaimed Jack Belden, aghast as he
walked into the studio of his friend and fellow
artist, Tom Creedmore, one morning.
Bought it yesterday from old Ashley. who's
just got lot of such stuff from Paris. Whyi
What strikes you so queer aboutit9'
Just between the windows stood an antique
mirror 1t swung between two twisted columns
Of dark-red polished wood, and its frame was
miracle of carved ivy leaves. Two smiling am
oretti held out wreath of vine leaves in their
chubby tands; and to each pillar little figure
clung, and held aloft an oval salver, carved all
over in the most delicate tracery. On these the
candles stood to light the lady at her toilet.
Jack stood before it like one in dream.
''Yes! 1t is Beatrice's mirror" he murmured
10 himself. II never thought I'd run across it
again"
Meanwhile Tom had been examining the salv
ers, which were upheld by the cupds. He gave
awhstle of surprise as he lifted up the body of
one and drew out of ashallow receptacle beneath
\ little green book The two friends sat down
by the glowing gratefre, and began to look it
over. It was a little diary, extending over only
few weeks, and written partly in French and
partly in Italian; grlish record of first inno-
cent love, with and then a simple fact or
two. 1t began: "Lisbetta showed me, to-day, a
little secret box in Maman's mirror. 1t will be a
good place for my precious letters, and she gave
me, besides, this little green book. Maman
used to put down what she was doing every day;
hut oil fha puf
and am going to keep a Journal
On the rest / can't tell about first seeing
George; it is too long, and, besides, know it all
oy heart. and it would be no use." Further on.
she said: ri wish had Maman Grandmaman
and grandpapa are so old, sometimes think they
are nearly dead now and they forget all about
me, after they have patted my head and blessed
me- If Lisbetta were not here, we would all
starve, / suppose-not now, though. George
would take care of US. But that is just what /
want Maman for, to tell me about George.
Sometimes I don't like to stea! away out of the
old garden to see all the beautiful places he
shows me. 1 have queer fancy that Maman
would not like it. and know Lisbetta does not
only she. doesn't like George, and that is the
reason, / suppose. After all, nobody but Lis
BETA cares where 60. My grandparents never
get up until noon, and then when Lisbetta has
dressed them and put them in their great chairs
and given them their chocolate and GAZETTE, they
BIT silent all day, grand papa looking his ivory
cane, and grandmaman with her hands folded.
Lisbetta says that they do talk, but never hear
them"
''Monday-George will be here to-day. I
used to think this dear old walled garden must
be the loyeiest place in the world, and then it
began to grow tiresome, just little. and now
it is heaven when George is here; and even
,t,op ho, r $hn otax Aeka cDf
the terrace. in the sun, and think of him. l am
30 happy, so happy. SO happy, that one but
the birds understand it. Lisbetta looks
grave and grim; but sing it all to the flowers in
the garden, and she may be as cross as she
chooses but she is never really cross to me.
"Thursday-George was very angry to-day.
was frightened, and the worst of it is, dont
know what did. 1t was only for minute, but
] could rot look at his face, it was so-but
will not write about it, my dear, good, lovely
George. 1t somehow because he loves me
30. he told ne it was and he said something
about NJ. Felix, who came as usual to see
spoke to NJ. Felix, and he put his hand on my
head; but NJ. Felix is old gentleman, not ole
like grandmaman, but he must be forty.
"Monday-Lisbetta said an awful thing to
day. She says that George will kill me some day
with his evil temper. But George has not al
evil temper. He doesn't like me to look at any
one in the street. and am forgetful and thought
less. He says it is not becoming or modest SO
stare about The people are so strange and in
1erestng to me who have lived ali my life il
this old house and garden. Lisbetta makes hin
angry, too by following US wherever we go.
have seen him quite furious with her, but sh
Doesn't care. She leaves Manon with her knit
tilg to watch grandmaman, and follows u
about. George doesn't understand how mucl
she loves me. She is the only friend have eve
had, and l would be glad if she and George like
each other, but one cannot have everything a
one wants it.
Wednesday-George has been up here in M
room. Lisbetta would not consent at first blu
coaxed her hard, and 80 she said yes, and sat il
the corner. with her lace pillow-so cross an
grave! wanted to show George Maman's mil
ror He says 1t Is beautiful, and work of art
He was so interested, and looked at erythine
and laughed because had put a wreath of rose
in the empty hands of my amorettiL He say
that am vain little girl, but am only glad t
be pretty for him. He looked round the room
too. and, without minding Lsbetta, went up t
my little bed snd kneeled down and kissed tn
pillow O my dear, dear love. what am tina
you should love me SO? and how can / speak
little shadows in the presence of SO much light
There was only one more place in which th
record betrayed fear of Georges anger.
wish I knew how to keep him from gettin
angry; it makes me afraid But it il no matte
as long he loves me, and will accept an.
thing from him. Lisbetta and he had a drea,
full talk yesterday. He is SO good, and tende
and gay except just and then. Lisbett
says it has been the fate of the women of OF
family to be loved with jealousy, and to die mi
eraply But George cannot be jealous.
whom2 There is nobody, and surely he know
how love him."
The last entry was: 80, have had such
lovely delicious morning. George was here a
day. 1t was cold and we sat in the little salo
and had fire on the hearth. George was
gay. l played for him my poor neglecte
guitar, and sung all the old love songs 1 kuoy
and he talked How much he knows, and he
going to teach me when always togethe
will learn fast / love to learn from Georg
If there were only somebody to be glad with m
Dear old Lisbetta. She hates George. thir
she is jealous. but she says no. / am going to
ball tonight in Paris-a great ball with curo,
people all dressed up in masks. wonder if
will be like the court balls Lisbetta tells me abou
] have been happy enough to-day for a lii
time My heart is singing all the time.
cd Mar .>la